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Rivers Civil Servants Protest Non-Payment Of Salaries
Scores of Civil Servants yesterday staged a protest at the Rivers State Secretariat Complex over what they described as non-payment of March and April salaries to civil servants and pensioners allowances for the past four months.
The Tide learnt that yesterday marked the second consecutive day that the civil servants were rolling out the drums to warn of an imminent industrial action, if the state government fails to pay workers their salaries.
Speaking to The Tide, the leader of the protesters, Comrade Tony Ochia said the civil servants were moblisied to protest the non-payment of their salaries while some pensioners whose allowances have not been paid for the last four months also joined the protest.
Ochia said the civil servants had appealed to the state government to pay the March and April salaries, but regretted that the government has not shown any commitment towards offsetting all outstanding salaries hence the workers decided to mobilize for the warning strike.
He warned that if the state government fails to pay all the outstanding salary arrears, including the pensioners’ allowances before Friday, May 15, 2015 the entire civil servants in the state would have no alternative than to embark on full industrial action from Monday, May 18, 2015.
He advised the state government to consider the plight of the civil servants and their families, especially now that many of their wards have been sent out of schools due to non-payment of school fees.
Ochia emphasized that many civil servants and pensioners were groaning under severe hardship, even without transport fares to their various working places.
He advised the state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi to leave a good legacy behind as he leaves office on May 29, 2015, by paying civil servants all their salaries till May without the incoming government inheriting any backlog of salary arrears, stressing that the governor has been workers friendly throughout his tenure.
He cautioned that the present atmosphere was rubbishing the good records of the past seven years.
But in a swift reaction, the state Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (Joint Council), Comrade Emecheta Chukwu, condemned the protest, describing the self-styled leader of the protesters as irresponsible and the protest, illegal.
Speaking to The Tide in a telephone interview, the Joint Council Chairman said, he was in Abuja on union assignments, but promised to handle the situation when he returns to Port Harcourt.
Chukwu said the protest, led by Comrade Tony Ochia and his cohorts was an illegal action, stressing that everything was being done to ensure the balance of March salary was paid by the state government.
He said the state government last Monday commenced the payment of part of March salary to the workers, stressing that April’s salary would soon be paid.
The JPSNC Chairman said that the union cannot guarantee the payment of May salaries by the state government before the May 29, 2015 hand over date.
He appealed for calm and understanding of the civil servants as the union leaders were not relenting in their efforts to ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensioners’ allowances by the government.
The Tide learnt that civil servants receiving salaries through Zenith Bank Plc and First City Mounment Bank (FCMB) have received their March salaries but workers, whose salaries are paid through UBA Plc, Ecobank, among others, are yet to receive their March salaries.
It would be recalled the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, last week disclosed plans by the State government to commence payment of workers’ salaries for April this week.
Philip Okparaji
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene